5 Things You Didn't Know: The Presidency

3- Anyone, male or female, can be first lady

The role of First Lady is strictly ceremonial, and generally, the primary job is that of a hostess.There are no official duties and there is no salary, although the position does have an office, expenses of which fall under the Executive Office of the President.

However, because it is unofficial, virtually anyone can serve as First Lady, evidenced not only during the bachelor term of President Cleveland, when his sister Rose served as First Lady, but also when President Harrison’s wife died in office and his daughter Mary fulfilled the role. The last non-spouse First Lady was Chelsea Clinton, who filled in for her mother on occasion.

When a woman is elected U.S. president, her husband will probably be called “First Gentleman,” but again, the role could go to the president’s sibling, child or whomever they designate.

4- It has an enviable retirement plan

Although it used to be a little better, it still isn’t such a bad deal to be an ex-president. The retirement plan begins with a $150,000 pension (his spouse receives a $20,000 pension). Along with that comes free office space and $96,000 to pay for office help. For 30 months following the end of his term, he’s eligible for $150,000 per year to hire the staff necessary to help with the transition back to civilian life. Additionally, he enjoys Secret Service protection for 10 years beginning with the end of his term (it used to be protection for life), his presidential library receives a degree of funding and finally he enjoys free postal service for life.

5- It is a notoriously underpaid position

Compared to CEOs and other executives, that is. Granted, most presidents are already wealthy when elected (George Washington and JFK were the only presidents to refuse the salary), but presidents are billed for all the food they eat, which includes food consumed by their personal guests, along with dry cleaning and other day-to-day charges. President Truman told people that, after expenses, he was clearing $80 a week as president.

The position technically makes the president the government’s highest-paid employee. Thus, today’s annual salary, including expenses, room and board is $569,000. This includes:

$400,000 base salary (as of 2001; since 1969, $200,000)

$50,000 expense account

$100,000 nontaxable for travel

$19,000 official entertainment account

Finally, there is an additional $50,000 expense account attached to the Executive Office of the President.

The U.S. presidency holds particular fascination, not just for its place on the world stage, but for all the perks and particulars associated with the position.

Although the president is in the news virtually every day, public interest has a tendency to wax and wane according to current events. With 2008 being an election year, and with the presidential primaries slated to begin in the first part of the new year, interest will probably be higher then as opposed to other times of the year.